Trip Report COMPLETED "I didn't put sun screen on your bagel yet" Fat for brains in WDW!!

Oh heeey! Wait, didn’t we just wave goodbye to WDW in April?!



Sure did! And now we’re back home again from our August trip! Man how time flies when you’re having a magical time.




I’m back for some more fun Disney memory sharing. The name is Beth, just in case we’re not homies yet. I just love this picture from California Grill after the wedding with Space Mountain behind me!! Makes me happy.

The scoop for this one goes like this….

This is our 4th mid August trip in a row for us, using our DVC. First stay at Grand Floridian Villas, 8 nights! Deluxe dining plan for the first time in a few years. There are a few meetups with some of our local buddies along the way but our travel party is just my family of 5 and my dad.



There’s the five of us all fancy for my sister’s Disney wedding back in April on the Boardwalk! The husband is Lucas, we're celebrating 9 years of magical wedded bliss again in Disney! The baby wolves are Alexa 9, Liam 7 and Brielle 4. Promise she wasn't' as cranky this trip, phew!!



Here’s me and my dad, totally awesome dude….he’s been on quite a few of our WDW adventures now. He loves Disney just like us and usually says something corny during the trip about loving how happy I am in WDW. He's known by most as Dampa; Alexa started that one when she was a baby. I cropped more sis out of this one since she wasn’t able to join us on this trip.

I have tons of pictures from this trip, this report will definitely take me a little more time than the last one, but be patient….I promise it’s worth it! More silly fun to be had with me, always a guarantee.

I’ll be back tomorrow with check in day, I had to at least get my booty in gear with an intro for all my buddies here!

 

[bmarkelon]

Some more pool time fun! As you've been reading, we don't mess around with not getting our resort/pool time in; it's a big part of our Disney vacation!!

 

[SharonD]

Great photos of the kids having fun!

 

[bmarkelon]

Great photos of the kids having fun!

They sure do wear their biggest and goofiest smiles in WDW!!

 

[bmarkelon]

Here's another of me and my girls that my dad took while we were waiting for Test Track.

 

[bmarkelon]

It was time to choose our last ride in Magic Kingdom. Everyone but me and probably my dad were ready to leave the park. But I was just begging for as much more as I could get! So I insisted we all head over to the tea cups; something that we could all do together.



Here’s another one of my favorites from the trip, I took it was the ride was slowing down but I just love how it’s still all spinny and dizzy in the background.

Could I talk everyone into a sweet treat before Lucas had a meltdown? Well, I knew I was way to close to those cake cups to leave without trying them. So I just told everyone to stay put by that rock wall area while Alexa and I went to “burn some snack points” I really just wanted the strawberry cup but Alexa’s all about chocolate so she got the mocha . And I grabbed a couple of those frozen lemonades too because everyone really needed to chill.



I mean come on, how were we going to leave without hitting up these bad boys?! Some silly CM came over and started teasing me while I was taking this picture. He’s like “whatever you do, don’t eat them.”. But just like that little tag says on that jar that giant Alice grabs, they were both yelling “EAT ME!!!” Alexa seriously pounded her cup. I shared my strawberry cup with my dad; it was a bit heavy on the frosting for my taste but quite delicious anyway. The mocha was tasty too, I’m just weird with chocolate….it gets me all hopped up.

So, I know it sounded weird when I was saying we were done in the park for the day; I should note that we were supposed to come back in that night for the parade and fireworks but some crazy freaking thunder/lightening storm came tearing through and ruined that plan. I could have cried about it.

So we hit the pool up again of course. I was just relaxing in the shade at a table with a Hendricks and tonic.. I was pretty much all set with pool time by this point. And then it was time to get ready for our last fancy meal of the trip at Citricos. We hadn’t been back here since Liam was 2 and swinging on the curtains and our server seriously gave us the stink eye the whole time. But I did remember that the meal had been fabulous then and we were at GFV and the kids were older and handling themselves much better so it was time to go back.



I had the lamb meatball appetizer, proper name was Lamb Abondiga, that the server suggested and let me tell you….it was sooooo delicious!! Waaaaay better than those balls at California Grill, in my opinion. My dad got the pork belly which he really enjoyed and I thought was just alright. And Lucas got the Cheese Course Trio which was lovely but I cant find a pic!



But here’s his entrée which was whatever their chicken dish was.

My dad got the Braised Short Rib which is what I actually had ordered years ago when we were here, it is phenomenal and I will add that photo of his separately….I never uploaded my dad’s or Lucas’ photos to my laptop, that’s why I’m throwing all these separate things up in here.



And I ordered drum-rolll for this one….the Osso Bucco ; also the server’s suggestion (I went in to this meal really not knowing what I’d be ordering at all, I was all over the place). The server told me this is their signature dish and a must! When it arrived my dad joked and asked if I ordered the T-Rex, he’s so silly sometimes. I’m so happy with my choice, it was seriously phenomenal. I’m also obsessed with brussel sprouts, so yay!! This meat (veal, for those that aren’t familiar with the dish) was so super tender and fell right off that monster bone. Brielle also enjoyed my entrée more than hers, but there was plenty to share. I guess that’s enough about my veal shank….I’ll move on. But seriously, wow guys…..DO IT.



Couldn’t tell you what my dessert was called, it’s not typically on the menu but I was all about something light with berries after the way I had just HOGGED down. This was perfect, nothing to really rave about but good. It had some fluffy grand marnier flavored sauce on it. And it pretty much was just a pile of berries underneath.



I had to get a shot of the kid’s dessert, I mean come on….how many Mickeys all up on there? It was a White Chocolate Oreo Mousse, my kids are obsessed with Oreos but I think Brielle actually got the create your own sundae because that girl can’t resist ice cream.

My dad got the Tiramisu, which I will also follow this with that pic.

Lucas was getting pretty cranky around dessert time when the service kinda really got slow, I think he ordered a lemon dessert but didn’t really eat it. He was mad that I was dragging this meal out and trying to savor our last dinner. Grrrrr. Also, he kept pointing out the windows at how angry the sky was looking and that we should get back to the room before the pouring rain. Whatever dude….I kid. We made it back safe and sound but I was super bummed about not seeing Wishes in the park my last night. WAAAAAAHHH!!!

 

[bmarkelon]

Here's the old man's meal...as promised. I guess he didn't get a picture of the pork belly? It's funny because he'd almost always take a bite out of whatever and then turn the plate to take the photo when he saw me taking pics of mine. Goofball!

 

[mrdrift]

Loving the report. All the food pictures look delicious. The children look cute all dressed up and seem to be having a wonderful time. Following along.

 

[Mickey2006]

I have enjoyed your previous trip reports (and this one - especially the food pics and your adorable kids) - just joined the boards so now I can post. Thanks for making my day as I wait for our trip!

 

[bmarkelon]

Loving the report. All the food pictures look delicious. The children look cute all dressed up and seem to be having a wonderful time. Following along.

Thanks bunches! We truly did have a wonderful time. I don't want this story to end but they all have too I guess…only our check out day is left!

I have enjoyed your previous trip reports (and this one - especially the food pics and your adorable kids) - just joined the boards so now I can post. Thanks for making my day as I wait for our trip!

Welcome to the boards and I feel honored to be one of your first posts! Thanks so much for following along. When is your trip? I love countdowns!!

 

[Mickey2006]

Thanks bunches! We truly did have a wonderful time. I don't want this story to end but they all have too I guess…only our check out day is left!


Welcome to the boards and I feel honored to be one of your first posts! Thanks so much for following along. When is your trip? I love countdowns!!

We leave in 16 days for 9 days and will be calling the Dolphin home (wanted to be in the Boardwalk area)

 

[bmarkelon]

We leave in 16 days for 9 days and will be calling the Dolphin home (wanted to be in the Boardwalk area)

That's so exciting!!! Take lots of pictures and share them in your first trip report!! I absolutely love that resort area, it's beautiful and such a convenient location. Are you dining in any of the restaurants there? I have a new curiosity for the Swan and Dolphin lately, since I just quoted it for someone for the first time. I've never even been in there, have heard great things. Super pumped for you! I'm at 185 days for my countdown, but booking my ADRs on Monday!!

 

[FlaggNL]

Hooray!! It's always fantastic to be in that one month to go countdown!!

And guess what, just 8 days left! The countdown is going faster and faster although every day just has 24 hrs

And btw, love the stormtrooper tee from one of the kids

 

[bmarkelon]

And guess what, just 8 days left! The countdown is going faster and faster although every day just has 24 hrs

And btw, love the stormtrooper tee from one of the kids

Oh my goodness, I'm so pumped for you!! It's funny how those countdowns seem to be so far out when they start and they just sneak right up on you!!
I LOVE Stormtroopers and kinda wanted that shirt too. It was on a cart not far from Star Tours when I bought it.

 

[SharonD]

Enjoyed the food pics! Now I need to eat dinner.

 

[bmarkelon]

Enjoyed the food pics! Now I need to eat dinner.

Ugh, isn't that the worst?! Those Disney food pics can be torture sometimes, the best kind of torture though! I'm loving your trip report!

 

[bmarkelon]

Alright, lets wrap this puppy up I guess….

For our check out day I had a later breakfast booked at Grand Floridian Café (a first for us) so we had time to pack up and check our bags.



And since we hadn’t ended up back in MK the night before I had to take our “Goodbye Disney” wave photo on our balcony. I was going to miss this view terribly, I’m surprised I walked out that door and wasn’t dragged kicking and screaming.

We got our Airline check in all squared away and dropped our pile of carry ons with Bell Services and then off to our last meal of the trip…..last ADR anyways, don’t worry there’s some more foodie treats left. And then we walked over to GFC



And that there would be the only picture I took at breakfast. Does anyone else get fired up about those “Best meals in Disney” lists that get posted wherever? I read them and am always all like “oh hell no you didn’t put that on the “BEST” list!!” Anyhoo, I just read one of these lists and the Vanilla Laced French toast on it, um, sorry but nope. I actually wish that I took a picture of it to show how unimpressive it was. And it was good, yeah but tasted like French toast that I make at home, nothing spectacular. But check out that Mickey on my cappuccino! And I’m not saying that people wouldn’t get mad at my best Disney food list, but it would be a way doper list than some of this other baloney out there. END OF RANT….

I was in my little sad check out day zone and not really talking to anyone. We walked out of GF to head to head for the bus to DTD for our final shopping and decided to just get a cab to save on any potential wait time. We had tons of time so we hit up just about every store in the Marketplace. I bought my annual Christmas ornaments, letting the kids each pick out one and I picked a 2014 pretty glass bulb. My tree has straight up become a Disney tree because of this souvenir tradition and I LOVE it!!!

Another one of our souvenir traditions now is to get a couple of those canvas paintings to add to our collection. We have 8 now! This trip we bought the 7 Dwarves returning home from work and the Lion King ones. Love these and the $150 price tag isn’t bad compared to some of those larger framed paintings.



Here’s the super cute Alice tank I bought myself, surprisingly the only article of clothing I purchased for myself! “We’re all MAD here”.

It was close to time to get back to GF for our sad sad ride back to the airport and I needed to get my final eat on. So I decided to hit up the food trucks. “I’ll have one of each please”. I was hungry!! And my dad and Alexa said they’d help consume it all.



The Chicken Gyro…..DELICOUS!! I am a gyro lover and will almost always hit one of these up when they are at any of the fairs we go too. This one was hands down the best gyro I’ve had.



The Pierogis and Kielbasa…..nope. This polish girl probably should have known better but I gave them a shot. I’m pretty sure they were the Mrs T’s. My family makes homemade pierogis every holiday season, it’s tons of work but such a fun tradition. We end up having to make more every year because people be all over them. Yeah, I have out bags of homemade pierogis…not so much cookies. We seriously make over 200 and it takes all day and a few bottles of Prosecco to get through it!!



And the Grass-fed Beef Sliders….YESSSSS! These were fat for brains stupid good. I should have doubled the order on them. We agreed that they were the winners. And I’m sorry this one is a little bit blurry, I think I must have maybe been holding back from laying my face down on them. Lucas was making some comments about how he couldn’t believe I was still putting food down like this at the end of a trip full of eating. He maybe tasted the gyro but really didn’t take part in this last feast with us.



From my crew to yours, Wishing you all a magical Christmas! Hehe

And that’s all folks! We headed back “home” one last time. There was still some time before our ME pickup so we sat in the cozy couches one last time soaking in the beauty of the Grand Floridian my new for real and forever favorite. I had one last glass of wine. We burned leftover snack points on all kinds of healthy Goofy Candy Co treats.

We boarded a very full Magical Express bus and had to spread out and sit apart from each other, I sat with my little cookie Brielle and felt real tears running down my cheeks on the way to the airport. So. Sad.

I ate again at the airport….such a hog. Everyone else got Burger King, I couldn’t do it…I almost NEVER do fast food. So I got something from On the Border with a To-go Margarita! Sweet.



The pit door was opened and the pilot was standing right there when we got in and saw my girls peeking inside and asked if they wanted to sit in his seat and check it out. This was a first and pretty cool, they were pumped. Liam was ed to miss out on that, oh well.



Brielle’s turn, her hair is a flipping mess!

I have to say that this was my favorite dining itinerary to date, my only bad meal was that sketchy and smelly breakfast in the castle. And I finally stayed at Grand Floridian and can’t wait to stay again someday, it was too fabulous. I might talk some crap about my kids a little here and there but they were amazing on this trip as far as behavior goes, I really can’t complain. The weather was weather, actually the weather was disgusting and sweaty but we asked for it going in August again. The crowds were alright, a little bit more crowded in Hollywood Studios because of the Frozen stuff which was annoying but we managed just fine. So, I guess that’s about it. Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet comments; it’s been fun sharing and re-living the memories we made and added to our collection.

182 days until our next one in April! 5 nights at Beach Club Villas and 4 nights at Animal Kingdom Kidani Villas. I book my ADRs on Monday!!! Hell yes!

 

[tor29c]

Thanks so much for all your efforts in completing this report. Loved following along!

 

[bmarkelon]

Wanted to share some of our artwork that we've been collecting...


Here's the 7 Dwarves that we just bought


There's Lion King along with a few familiar friends. I love these!

I also have the Hitchhiking Ghosts, a beautiful Cinderella's Castle shot and the Main Street gang on a bike together, Mickey, Donald and Goofy. Can't wait to keep buying these, fun!!

 

[bmarkelon]

Thanks so much for all your efforts in completing this report. Loved following along!

You're more than welcome, I had a blast putting in the effort to share our magical memories. It's quite enjoyable on this end to relive it and drool over the food photos.